St. Anthony Foundation Looks to Navigate the 12.5% Drop in Post-Holiday Volunteerism

MEDIA ALERT

Media Contact:
Veronica Surrette-Fahey | Marketing & Communications Manager 
(617) 913-1324 | vsurrette-fahey@stanthonysf.org 

This whole-person care provider urgently needs New Year support across its dining, free clothing, and volunteer programs

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., December 29, 2025 — St. Anthony Foundation, one of San Francisco’s largest whole-person care providers, faces a familiar cyclical challenge: the massive decline in individuals and groups dedicating time to support their community.

“We see this dip in volunteer turnout every year once the holidays end, and we want to gently remind our community that the need doesn’t go away in January,” said Brandon Clark, Volunteer Services Manager at St. Anthony Foundation. “When people think about New Year’s resolutions, there’s so much focus on improvement of self — health, career, routines. All of that matters, but we also believe a ‘new year, new you’ can include showing up for others. Even a single hour of service can genuinely change someone’s day. Giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to start the year.”

St. Anthony’s depends on the selfless support of approximately 60 volunteers to help serve more than 1,000 guests daily who rely on essential services, including warm meals, clean clothing, and access to technology. After the holidays, this organization experiences a 12.5% decrease in the number of individuals and a roughly 9% decrease in the number of groups volunteering their time and energy. These volunteers are the bridge that connects guests to these services at a time when many community members face heightened hardship after the holidays.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission,” said Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of the St. Anthony Foundation. “The new year often brings a renewed sense of purpose, and that’s exactly when your energy and presence matter most. When we continue to show up for one another, we lift each other up and bring light into people’s lives long after the season of celebration has passed.”

St. Anthony’s commitment to whole-person care creates endless opportunities for the community to pitch in. Volunteers can support guests face-to-face or help with vital behind-the-scenes efforts, from sorting clothing donations to assisting with meal prep. Whether someone has only a few hours or an entire team eager to tackle a bigger project, St. Anthony’s has a place for them.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Dining Room:
  • Every day, 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (breakfast)
  • Every day, 9:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (lunch)
  • Every day, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (second shift – lunch)
• Free Clothing Program:
  • Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tech Lab:
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities and to sign up, visit www.stanthonysf.org/volunteer or call (415) 592-2726. Walk-in volunteers are not accepted.

About St. Anthony Foundation
Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, St. Anthony Foundation is one of the largest, primarily privately funded whole-person care providers in San Francisco and a place of great love. We offer essential services, health care, and employment informed by our Franciscan values and evidence-based best practices for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction. Our goal is to build trust over time with individuals and to give each person the tools and opportunity to sustainably exit homelessness. We offer a welcoming healing community, a pathway to stability, and a model for broader change.

Media Contact
Veronica Surrette-Fahey, Marketing Communications Manager
vsurrette-fahey@stanthonysf.org